Opera Atelier closes 08-09 season with 31% surge in subscriptions

Fundraising at $1 million for second year in a row

Toronto, ON (December 3, 2009)’ĶAlberta Cefis, chair of Opera Atelier’Äôs board of directors, announced at the company’Äôs Annual General Meeting on November 30, 2009 that the company ended its 2008-09 season with a loss of $68,072 on an annual operating budget of $2.3 million.

’ÄúWhile Abduction from the Seraglio played to 94% houses, our spring production of The Coronation of Poppea suffered the full brunt of the recession, with ticket sales below projections,’Äù said Ms Cefis. ’ÄúThe 31% increase in Opera Atelier’Äôs subscription base was the saving grace for ticket sales.’Äù

For the second year in a row the company achieved $1 million in fundraising revenue. Individuals and corporations increased their investments in Opera Atelier by 15% and 21% respectively. This growth helped to offset a decline in foundation revenue: more than $100,000 in non-renewable foundation grants came to an end in this fiscal year. Going forward, the company will continue to ensure prudent fiscal management of expenses, and all senior managers have taken a 3% minimum salary cut across the board. Artist salaries have been protected.

The 2009-10 season continues with a new production of Mozart’Äôs popular The Marriage of Figaro (April 24 - May 1, 2010) at the Elgin Theatre. Not only is this OA’Äôs first new Figaro in 20 years, it marks the third new Mozart production of Opera Atelier’Äôs ambitious ’ÄúMozart Six’Äù plan which to date includes Idomeneo (2007) and The Abduction from the Seraglio (2008).

Single tickets for The Marriage of Figaro are on sale now through Ticketmaster at 416-872-5555, on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca or at the Elgin Theatre box office. For more information visit www.operaatelier.com .

Opera Atelier is grateful for operational funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. Opera Atelier is a member of The Creative Trust.

2008-09 Season Sponsor: Sun Life Financial
2008-09 Production Sponsors: BMO Financial Group and Scotiabank
Operatix Sponsor: TD Canada Trust Music